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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 19, 2014) - BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Canada's Aboriginal Communities ahead of National Aboriginal Day.

"For more than 25 years, BMO has been a leading partner in Aboriginal communities across the nation," said Stephen Fay, Head, Aboriginal Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal. "Aboriginal businesses represent a vital sector for the Bank, and for Canada as a whole. We're committed to helping Aboriginal entrepreneurs grow their business and to providing bank members with a full range of banking products and services – including infrastructure and housing financing – to help meet their personal financial needs."

Mr. Fay added that Aboriginal communities have benefited from increased access to financial resources across Canada. This transformational shift in Aboriginal funding is leading to successful local businesses and improved infrastructure, along with the hiring of more Aboriginal Peoples.

"Building successful relationships between Aboriginal communities, governments and businesses are important steps to ensuring long-lasting prosperity amongst stakeholders," said JP Gladu, President and CEO, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

2013 Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Award

For the fourth consecutive time, BMO Financial Group was presented with a Gold level standing in the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) for its efforts to enhance partnerships with Canada's First Peoples.

CCAB's Progressive Aboriginal Relations certification program helps companies benchmark their performance and recognizes their commitment and success in building positive relations with Aboriginal people and communities. Successful recipients of the PAR Award are assessed in four key areas: employment, business development, capacity building and community relations. Companies can be re-certified every three years.

About BMO and the Aboriginal Community

BMO Financial Group's relationship with Aboriginal communities has existed since the bank was established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal. In 2012, BMO's dedicated Aboriginal Banking unit celebrated twenty years of working with Aboriginal peoples in their communities, which now includes 13 on-reserve branches and more than $2 billion in business relationships with Aboriginal customers. With a dedicated and experienced team, BMO is able to help Aboriginal customers with products and services to meet their personal banking needs, provide financial advice to on-reserve businesses, partner with communities on their economic development initiatives and provide customized trust and investment management solutions.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services organization based in North America. The bank offers a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers. BMO Financial Group had total assets of $582 billion and more than 45,500 employees at April 30, 2014.

Internet: www.bmo.com

Twitter: @BMOmedia